Nehemiah's Prayer Series

Nehemiah’s Prayer

A brand new pastor visited the 7th grade Sunday School Class at the church. He decided to test them a little and asked, "Who can tell me who broke the walls of Jericho?"

There was dead silence. Finally one of the boys said, "I don't know, but it wasn't my fault!" The pastor, surprised, turned to the teacher. The teacher replied, "Trust me, I know Tom and his parents very well. I don’t think he would do something like that!"

We all know the great story about the walls of Jericho falling down. God fought on the side of His people. Well, today we are going to be meditating on one of the Biblical Heroes that God used to build walls back up. Namely the walls of Jerusalem. Let us study about the prophet Nehemiah. Did you know that he was the shortest Prophet in the Bible? Because, His name says he was only Knee-High-miah.

Turn with me to Nehemiah 1:5-11. This is Nehemiah's Prayer.

Nehemiah was a man of great faith. And he needed that faith to complete the task God had placed on his heart, which was to rebuild the walls around the city of Jerusalem. Those walls were the city's protection from its enemies, but the walls had been torn down by some enemies who had overthrown Jerusalem. It made Nehemiah sad to hear how his home city was being treated by the enemy and how the people were all afraid because they did not have any protection. So, he went to the King. Nehemiah was a good prophet and advisor to the King, so he told the King to repair the walls of Jerusalem.

In order to repair the walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah had to follow, trust, repent, listen, and serve. And when he did, God honored Nehemiah.

I. Follow

“I said, "O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments;” (Nehemiah 1:5)

God loves those who keep His commandments. Therefore, first, Nehemiah had to follow God just like Abraham did. God made a covenant with Abraham, and Abraham did not fully understand where God was taking him, but he followed God wholeheartedly. And so did Nehemiah. Nehemiah was faithful to God. That was one of the things the King liked about him. That was also why God called Nehemiah to tell the King to rebuild the walls.

God keeps His covenant with those who keep His commandments. When we focus our lives on God, our faith and our relationship with God will put us on the right path. We must make sure to follow in the path of God, through faith and prayer and worship and keeping His commands. The wind of God's Holy Spirit will move us to our destination as we follow God's plan for our lives. And in this, we bring glory to God.

II. Trust

“Let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel,” (Nehemiah 1:6a)

Second, Nehemiah had to trust God, just like Joseph. Remember Joseph's brothers were jealous of him, sold him into slavery, and later Potiphar’s wife lied about Joseph. Joseph was in prison for many years, but he never gave up believing and trusting in God. God was right there holding Joseph up the whole time.

When we talk about faith, we are also talking about trust. Nehemiah prayed to God “day and night” because he knew the Lord our God would see and hear the prayer of His servant for His people. Trusting in God carries us in the midst of trials and troubles.

We trust that God is here. Nehemiah had to trust God in order for God to lead him in how to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

III. Repent

“confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Both I and my family have sinned. We have offended you deeply, failing to keep the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances that you commanded your servant Moses.” (Nehemiah 6b-7)

The third thing Nehemiah had to do was to help the people turn around to a different way of thinking. He had to help them repent and change their ways.

Remember the story of Zacchaeus. When Jesus told Zacchaeus to come down from the tree so He could have lunch with him, Zacchaeus was so moved and touched by God's love that he changed and he repented.

Repenting allows a believer to start their lives again, like a clean slate. God does not hold grudges. When we confess our sins whole-heartedly to the Lord, He forgives us for our transgressions. That is what Nehemiah and the people of Jerusalem found out, Our God is a God of “clean slates” and second chances.